The Warriors have decided to guarantee Kevon Looney‘s salary for the 2024/25 season, sources tell Kendra Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
Golden State would have had to waive Looney on Monday in order to avoid having his full $8MM salary for next season become guaranteed. Up until today, only $3MM of that total had been guaranteed, so the team could’ve saved $5MM by cutting him.
[RELATED: Early NBA Salary Guarantee Dates For 2024/25]
However, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported over the weekend that Looney was unlikely to be waived, pointing out that cutting him and then signing a replacement wouldn’t create significant cap or tax savings, and cutting him to try to re-sign him to a minimum-salary deal was considered too risky, since he’d have other suitors. According to Slater, the veteran center is still one of head coach Steve Kerr‘s favorite players and his voice is valued in the locker room.
Looney, 28, has been with the Warriors since 2015, winning three titles during that time and starting 256 of his 523 regular season games with the franchise. His defensive versatility, toughness, and rebounding have made him an important part of Golden State’s frontcourt over the years, but he had a down season in 2023/24, as his averages dipped to 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 16.1 minutes per game.
While Looney will now be assured of receiving $8MM in 2024/25, that doesn’t mean he’ll spend the entire season with the Warriors. As Slater wrote on Saturday, the big man could emerge as a trade candidate if his expiring contract comes in handy as part of Golden State’s efforts to upgrade its roster.
The Warriors’ next major salary guarantee decision will come later this week — Chris Paul‘s $30MM contract for ’24/25 will become guaranteed if he remains on the roster through Friday. However, there’s virtually no chance Golden State will guarantee that full amount unless it’s necessary to accommodate a trade. It’s also possible that Paul will agree to push his salary guarantee date back into July to give the team more time to sift through its trade options.
Appreciation
Faith in humanity restored
Now waive/cut/just get rid of Chris Paul lol
If they trade CP3 for Robin Lopez they might chip again
I think you mean Brooks, Robin can be had for the vet min
Yes, that is who I meant! Thanks for clarifying, however getting both would also help solve GSW’s size problems!
Why in the world would Milwaukee want to trade Brooks Lopez for CP3? Brooks Lopez is a valuable player to have for any team.
Yeah, the other option is cutting and grabbing a minimum wage C, Looney might not be great, but he’s several tiers above minimum wage C’s, who are almost always the worst players in the league.
I am fine with Looney’s contract being picked up because there is not much out there that can take his place for that amount of money. I will be SMH if they keep CP3 because he is not worth even close to $30 million a year.
Eh, he much better Is he than Daniel theis ?
Uh, yeah. Remember. The Warriors beat a much bigger Celtics team in ’22 with Looney at Center the whole season. People always seem to forget about what he did and focus on Jordan Poole.
Much bigger ?! Their centers were rob williams and horford. Both of them are under 6’10. And that was 2 years ago my friend. He’s clearly on the decline. Theis would probably be just a effective and less cheaper.
GSW beat the Celtics because of Otto Porter’s defense more than Looney’s.
you do realize if they let paul go, they don’t just have $30M to spend on someone else? retaining the value of his contract might be the only way they can upgrade the roster.
You need to find somebody who wants CP3 for $30 million a year. So far nobody have offered them anything for him. Last thing you want to do is bring back another bad contract with more years added onto it.
No you need someone with a player you want thats up to 30M in contract size. Then you can trade for say a 12M player with CP and a pick and guarantee 12M of his deal. Its a walking trade exception for up to 3oM you can use on a player who a team wants to get off of on a longer term deal in a 1 for 1 or someone better you have to give up some future value for.
Like you could trade a protected future first and CP for DFS from the NETS.
Brook Lopez makes $23M
Imagine finding another team to trade CP3 to will be very difficult. What team wants a 39 year old backup point guard who gets paid $30 million?
Now they should bring back Wiseman on a 2-way contract. Lot of the reasons he struggled in his 1st stint are gone. Bigs take longer to develop. Wiseman is at the point where they find footing. Looney worked closely with Dejan, so can mentor Wiseman.
wishful thinking. wiseman is not an answer to anything. dude couldn’t even find garbage time minutes on the worst team in the association.
You need to take a second look. He played in 63 games. One night he played 40 minutes, 21 points, and 17 rebounds. That is hardly garbage time. It is not like they are going fill those 2-way spots through the draft. They did some scouting in Europe. So, they draft and stash a player. It is not like it will really hurt them. Like I said, bigs always take longer to develop.
You are so low on him now. I would give him 2 yr min contract with team option.
I haven’t changed my view towards Wiseman. Big men always take longer to develop. It was a bad situation for him before. A 2-way contract is a low stress way for him to continue to develop. He still needs to prove he can reach his potential.
He will not sign 2 way contract. He is not that desperate yet as he made $50m last 4 yrs. There will be several teams still willing to offer him standard contract and unfortunately probably more than minimum.
Essentially he’s worth the five million difference and a roster spot. I agree
Would GS trade Draymond for Randle? Draymond I see some Oak Man in him. Similar to Hart another team Dog
Can’t imagine that the Knicks will want to ruin their great chemistry and momentum by taking on Draymond Green. Julius Randle is an excellent player anyway.
It not only made practical sense but also the right thing to do for Looney’s loyalty. So now that his contract is guaranteed for $8m, what does it mean regarding Warriors plan this offseason? Are they going to trade him? Are they going to go all in and bring another all star? Are they going to rebuild or more of same as last 2 seasons? Personally, Looney should be a keeper regardless of whichever direction.
Agreed. Like Looney. An excellent role player. Someone has to do the tough work around the basket.